8-28-11

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Sunday's Betting Tips: Run From Raiders' Run D

Who’s Hot

MLB: The Rays are 13-5 in David Price’s last 18 road starts.

MLB: The Cardinals are 23-11 in their last 34 Sunday games.

WNBA: The Under is 15-5-1 in San Antonio’s last 21 games.

Who’s Not

MLB: The Twins are 0-5 in Brian Duensing’s last five starts.

MLB: The Mariners are 2-7 in Jason Vargas’ last nine starts.

WNBA: Chicago is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games against the Eastern Conference.

Injury Not To Be Overlooked

White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski (.296, 23 doubles), who fractured his wrist when he was hit by a pitch Aug. 12, appears close to returning from the first DL stint of his career. Pierzynski took batting practice and caught a bullpen session Friday and likely will start a rehab assignment early in the week. He plans to return by week’s end.

Key Stat

11.9 – That’s the extra-base-hit percentage of Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz, who had two homers, a double and six RBIs in Friday’s 11-7 win over the Angels. That gave him 55 extra-base hits in 462 plate appearances. The league average is 7.7 percent. Cruz’s percentage ranks second in the AL behind David Ortiz’s 12.4.

Game Of The Day

New Orleans Saints at Oakland Raiders (4.5, 38.5)

Notable Quotable

"When I put my name to something and say I'm going to do something, I'm going to do it. This run defense thing has baffled this organization for years." – Raiders coach Hue Jackson to the Oakland Tribune on his vow to improve the team’s run defense. Oakland, which gave up 239 rushing yards to San Francisco last week, is a 4.5-point home dog to New Orleans in Sunday’s lone preseason game.

Tips And Notes

Umpire Bill Miller will be behind the plate Sunday when the Cubs visit the Brewers. The Over is 5-0 in Miller’s last five games calling balls and strikes, and 4-0-1 in his last five games involving Milwaukee.

Tampa Bay cornerback Aqib Talib could get a four-game suspension from Commissioner Roger Goodell to start the season, and it would be a major blow to the Buccaneers’ secondary. Talib is facing a charge of aggravated assault following a March shooting incident in a Dallas suburb. Police believe Talib and his mother shot at a man, who was not hurt. If Talib is out, the the Bucs could be exposed in their Sept. 11 opener against Detroit. In last year’s matchup without Talib, Lions WR Calvin Johnson went off for 10 catches and 152 yards as Detroit won 23-20. And that was with Drew Stanton, not Matthew Stafford, at quarterback. Most books have the Bucs laying 3 in this matchup.

Brewers closer John Axford has converted 35 save chances in a row. The streak ties Trevor Hoffman (1999-2000) for the 15th longest in MLB since 1969.

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WNBA Basketball Picks
Connecticut at Tulsa

The Sun look to build on their 6-1 ATS record in their last 7 road games. Connecticut is the pick (-9) according to Dunkel, which has the Sun favored by 11. Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (-9). Here are all of today's picks.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 28
Time Posted: 6:00 a.m. EST

Game 651-652: Minnesota at San Antonio (3:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 114.375; San Antonio 114.231
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 155
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 2 1/2; 152 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (+2 1/2); Over

Game 653-654: Connecticut at Tulsa (4:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Connecticut 114.608; Tulsa 103.651
Dunkel Line & Total: Connecticut by 11; 149
Vegas Line & Total: Connecticut by 9; 152 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (-9); Under

Game 655-656: Phoenix at Washington (4:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 111.847; Washington 107.959
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 4; 171
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 6; 173
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+6); Under

Game 657-658: New York at Chicago (6:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: New York 111.457; Chicago 116.206
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 4 1/2; 147
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 3 1/2; 145 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-3 1/2); Over

Game 659-660: Los Angeles at Seattle (9:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 105.168; Seattle 109.703
Dunkel Line & Total: Seattle by 4 1/2; 150
Vegas Line & Total: Seattle by 7; 144 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (+7); Over

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WNBA NEWS AND NOTES
WNBA: Ly*x - Silver Stars Preview
By Associated Press


Minnesota Ly*x at San Antonio Silver Stars (2.5, 152.5)

The WNBA-leading Minnesota Ly*x are on the verge of locking up the top spot in the Western Conference.

Looking to secure home-court advantage through the two-round conference playoffs, the Ly*x seek a four-game sweep of the San Antonio Silver Stars and a sixth straight win in the series in the conclusion of a home-and-home set Sunday.

Minnesota (22-6) defeated slumping San Antonio 85-75 on Friday, putting it in position to end the conference title race with a win or a Mercury loss to Washington.

"This team's on a mission," said coach Cheryl Reeve, whose club has won four straight and 15 of 17.

Seimone Augustus scored 19 points while rookie star Maya Moore had 18 and seven rebounds as Minnesota stayed perfect in three meetings with the Silver Stars (13-14) this season.

"They have a lot of great players that can even come off the bench, so they're really deep," said San Antonio guard Danielle Robinson, who had 11 points. "They all played aggressive tonight. We just have to go home and re-evaluate and we see them again so we're just looking forward to being back at home."

Minnesota outrebounded the Silver Stars 37-23 and 14-6 on the offensive glass. The Ly*x were up by four after three quarters but led by as many as 20 in the fourth in dealing San Antonio a season-high fifth straight loss.

"There's a lot of things that triggered it," Moore said. "Offensive rebounds. Getting out in transition. Team defense. Trying to make it hard for their main scorers to get going. All of that really just fueled that buildup until the dam just burst and we were able to really just pile on some points."

Becky Hammon, who leads the Silver Stars with 15.5 points per game, failed to score and went 0 of 8 from the floor. She has scored six or fewer points in three of four contests.

With Hammon struggling, San Antonio has averaged 69.4 points during its skid - 8.0 less than its season mark.

The Silver Stars did welcome back second-leading scorer Danielle Adams on Friday and could get an offensive boost from her down the stretch. Adams, averaging 14.0 points, scored 10 in her first action since missing 11 games with a sprained right foot.

"I just felt that my foot was getting better and just wanted to get out there and help my team out," Adams said.

While this matchup sets up as a possible playoff preview, San Antonio still has work to do as it looks to hold off Los Angeles for the final postseason spot. The Silver Stars are 1 1/2 games ahead of the Sparks.

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LADY LUCK

Sunday's Best WNBA Bets

Minnesota Ly*x at San Antonio Silver Stars (2.5, 152.5)

The Ly*x have allowed an average of 69.3 points over their last four games, including an 85-75 home win over San Antonio on Friday. That game sailed over the total of 149.5, but Minnesota's three previous games stayed under.

And Friday's game was unusually high scoring for these two teams. In the first two meetings this season, Minnesota won 62-60 and 70-69.

The under is 15-5-1 in the Silver Stars' last 21 games.

And in Minnesota's last nine games playing on one day's rest, the under is 8-1.

PICK: Under


Los Angeles Sparks at Seattle Storm (-7, 145)

The Sparks were embarrassed Friday, losing at home 77-75 to woeful Tulsa. That upset ended the Shock's 20-game losing streak.

Now L.A. must head north to play the Storm, who dispatched those same Shock 74-57 a night earlier.

Seattle is a terrific home team (12-2 SU, 8-6 ATS) that has won three straight since center Lauren Jackson returned from hip surgery.

In the past nine meetings between these squads, the Storm are 6-2-1 ATS. And the Sparks are a pitiful 4-12 ATS in their last 16 road games.

PICK: Los Angeles

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MLB NEWS AND NOTES
Sunday Night Baseball: Angels at Rangers
By ***** Sports


Los Angeles Angels at Texas Rangers (-105, 8.5)

The race for the American League West crown shifts to primetime when the Los Angeles Angels visit the division-leading Texas Rangers to close out their three-game series on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball.

HOW THE WEST WAS WON

The AL West has turned into a two-team race with Texas (75-58) clinging to a three-game leading over the Angels (71-60) heading into Saturday night's action. The race appeared over two weeks ago when Texas won the first three games of a four-game set at Los Angeles, but the Angels won the finale and went on to string together a six-game winning streak to keep things interesting.

The Rangers have been in first place all but 10 days this entire season and haven’t left the top spot since May 15.

HE WENT TO JERED

Angels manager Mike Scioscia will go to staff ace Jered Weaver (15-6, 2.03 ERA) on three days' rest. Weaver has been phenomenal all year and he has delivered in the most important games, his four starts against Texas.

Weaver has been lights out against the Rangers, posting a 1.86 ERA and 3-1 mark against them

“If you’re going to a four-man rotation or using guys on short rest three or four times through the rotation, some guys might unravel if they’re not used to it,” Scioscia told MLB.com. “But this would be a one-time deal, so these guys should be fine.”

Weaver is 9-5 with a 3.14 ERA in 24 career starts against Texas.

RANGER DANGER

The Texas lineup is dotted with big boppers. They rank second or third in MLB in runs per game (5.06), team batting average (.276), home runs (157) and OPS (.778). The Rangers offense looks forward to the challenge of facing Weaver again.

“Bring them on,” Texas outfielder Josh Hamilton said of facing Ervin Santana on Saturday and Weaver on Sunday.

“They’re good, no doubt about it. They’ll either step up on short rest or not.”

Hamilton is batting .269 over the last two weeks with three home runs, eight runs scored and six RBIs.

“I’m not surprised at anything Mike does,” Texas manager Ron Washington said of Scioscia’s decision to move up Santana and Weaver so they can both face Texas.

“We’re not afraid of Santana and Weaver. We’re not talking about Don Drysdale and Koufax. We’ve faced Weaver and Santana before.”

COLBY CHEESE

Texas will go with Colby Lewis on Sunday. His last time out, against the Angels on August 18, he was tossing straight cheese. He pitched seven shutout innings, scattering four hits and a pair of walk. But the Rangers are 0-4 in Lewis' last four starts against the Angels.

UNUSUAL SUSPECTS

Veteran catcher Mike Napoli has been the strongest bat in the Rangers lineup lately, while 24-year old centerfielder Peter Bourjos has been the toughest out in the Angels lineup.

Napoli is batting .309 with 11 runs scored and four home runs over the last two weeks. Bourjos is hitting .373 with nine runs scored and eight RBIs over that span. These two could have a major impact on Sunday's game.

NOTEWORTHY NUMBERS

The Rangers have outscored the Angels 68-56 this season and have a +99 run differential against all opponents.

The Angels have a +20 run differential against all opponents.

Los Angeles is 8-2 in Weaver's last 10 starts but 1-5 in his last six Sunday starts.

Texas is 13-4 in its last 17 home games vs. a right-handed starter.

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Sunday's Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers

STREAKING

Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants (10-9, 2.90 ERA)

The 26-year-old right-hander is putting together his best season. He’s given up just six earned runs over his last four starts, covering 29 innings. Batters are hitting just .221 against him.

Ian Kennedy, Arizona Diamondbacks (16-4, 3.09 ERA)

The NL’s co-leader in wins, Kennedy has given up just four earned runs over his last three starts. The last time out, Kennedy blanked the Nationals over seven innings while fanning eight. He’s won eight of his last nine decisions.

SLUMPING

Casey Coleman, Chicago Cubs (2-6, 7.59 ERA)

This Triple-A callup wouldn’t start for most teams, but then again these are the Cubs. Coleman has given up 15 hits and nine runs in his last two starts covering 8 2/3 innings. He’s lost his last three decisions.

Brian Matusz, Baltimore Orioles (1-6, 8.92 ERA)

Batters are hitting .363 against Matusz. That’s not a misprint. He’s given up at least five earned runs in each of his last four starts, and the Orioles have lost the last six times he’s gotten the ball. It’s scary to think what the Yankees, who lead MLB in homers, will do to him.

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HOT LINES

Sunday's Best MLB Bets

Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins (105, 9.5)

Twins lefty Brian Duensing is far better suited to the bullpen, and likely will be back there soon if he keeps pitching the way he’s been.

Right-handed batters have a .923 OPS against him. All batters are hitting .302 against him.

Minnesota has lost six of Duensing’s last seven starts. He’s given up 13 earned runs in his last two starts while lasting a total of seven innings.

When he faced the Tigers on July 22, Detroit lit him up for two homers and seven earned runs in 4 2/3 innings.

Meanwhile, Detroit’s Brad Penny is 2-0 with a respectable 4.08 ERA over his last three starts.

PICK: Tigers


Washington Nationals at Cincinnati Reds (-158, 7.5)

Cincy starter Johnny Cueto just faced the Nationals on Aug. 17 in Washington. He dominated them, allowing one run on six hits over eight innings in a 2-1 victory.

Cueto leads the NL with a 2.03 ERA and it’s not even close. Giants ace Tim Lincecum is next at 2.46.

Washington starter Jordan Zimmermann, whose 3.10 ERA ranks 12th, faced the Reds a day after Cueto toyed with Washington. Zimmermann tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings as the Nationals won 3-1.

The Under is 5-0 in Zimmermann’s last five starts overall and 7-2 in his last nine road starts.

PICK: Under

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Saints at Raiders: What Bettors Need To Know

New Orleans Saints at Oakland Raiders (+4.5, 38.5)
STARTER REPORT

RAIDERS: Oakland coach Hue Jackson wouldn’t say how long he’ll play his starters on Sunday against the Saints, but, judging by the general rule of thumb, bettors should count on the Raiders’ first-string offense playing the entire first half and maybe a drive or two in the third quarter.

Newly signed rookie quarterback Terrelle Pryor is not expected to play against New Orleans but Jackson did say he’d give Pryor a few snaps in the Raiders’ exhibition finale.

That means Oakland will stick to its regular QB rotation, with Jason Campbell leading the first team offense and Trent Edwards and Kyle Boller backing up the former Redskin.

Campbell had to leave last week’s 17-3 loss to the Niners after getting knocked in the head, but he was back in practice on Tuesday and has been playing with Oakland’s starters all week.

SAINTS: New Orleans head coach Sean Payton told reporters his primary starters would play the first half “and then we’ll see where we are at halftime to see what we’re going to do in the third quarter.”

INJURY REPORT

The Saints will be without starters Lance Moore (WR), Roman Harper (S) and Sedrick Ellis (DT). The Raiders, meanwhile, won’t have newly signed CB Lito Sheppard or starting LB Rolando McClain suiting up Sunday.

Running back Darren McFadden has been the star of the Raiders' camp but it’s unclear whether the Pro Bowler will see any preseason action because of how important he is to the offense. He broke his orbital bone at the start of August and only recently returned to full practices.

PRESEASON PERFORMANCE

Silver and Black backers hope the club’s play in the preseason isn’t a sign of things to come. The Raiders have been uneven on offense and defense, losing to the Niners and Cardinals so far.

Oakland’s biggest weakness so far is its run defense. The unit gave up 239 yards on the ground last week to San Fran and allowed over four yards per carry against Arizona, too.

The Saints looked great in Week 1 but not as sharp last weekend against the Texans. Houston gained over 400 yards, most of which came against New Orleans’ first-string defense.

THING TO REMEMBER

New Orleans is 4-0 SU and ATS in its last four Week 3 preseason games. The third week of the preseason is generally when starters play the most and coaches actually do a bit of game planning.

The Raiders, on the other hand, are 0-3 SU and ATS in their last three Week 3 preseason games and were outscored 97-31 in the process, including a 45-7 beatdown at the hands of the Saints two years ago.

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BANG THE BOOK

Sunday's Best NFL Bet

New Orleans Saints at Oakland Raiders (+4.5, 38.5)

Normally, NFL preseason games are relatively local in nature, but on Sunday night, for NBC’s Sunday Night Football, the New Orleans Saints will take the lengthy road trip across the country to tango with the Oakland Raiders.

QB Drew Brees and the starting offense should see at least two quarters of action this week, if not more, as Head Coach Sean Payton tries to assess exactly what his team has to offer this year. However, injuries are definitely starting to mount up for this squad, something that proved to be a major problem in the regular season last year as well. Again, the running back position has been hit hard. Rookie RB Mark Ingram has missed substantial practice this week, while RB Chris Ivory is already out of the fold for at least the next month to boot. Starting OL Carl Nicks isn’t expected to play on Sunday night, nor is WR Lance Moore. Moore isn’t the only wide out left off of the team’s roster this week in all likelihood. Rookies Jarred Fayson and Joe Morgan aren’t likely to see any time with injuries either. S Roman Harper fractured a finger this week in practice as well. Needless to say, Payton has to be more concerned about just getting out of this week’s game healthy than he does with actually winning it.

Meanwhile, this is the first truly big test for new Head Coach Hue Jackson, as his team is going against one of the best teams in the game, at home, following a pair of relatively embarrassing losses to start off the campaign. Preseason results don’t often matter, but Jackson is going to want to notch that first win eventually. QB Jason Campbell and the starting offense will get its time in this one, but the focus might be on the other side of the ball, where the secondary, now sans DB Nnamdi Asomugha, has to cope against one of the best passing teams in the land this year. We aren’t sure whether WR Jacoby Ford or RB Darren McFadden will be in the fold for the offense this week, as both are recovering from injuries. Campbell though, needs to perform a whole heck of a lot better than he has to start off the preseason. He only went 6-of-9 for 66 yards in limited action against the Arizona Cardinals, but he wasn’t able to get the team into the end zone. The same was true against the San Francisco 49ers, as he went 5-of-7 for 74 yards, but couldn’t get the team to score.

New Orleans Saints @ Oakland Raiders Pick: The oddsmakers are hoping that you fall into the trap of backing New Orleans in this one, laying four points with a team that really might look more like a preseason practice squad than a full team. Sure, Brees and the offense will surely put up its one or two scores, but the Oakland offense should have the advantage at some point and perform a heck of a lot better than it has in recent weeks. Remember that this is still a preseason games. Scores are generally low, and points are at a premium.

PICK: Raiders +4

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Football Crusher
Play of the Day:

Raiders +5 over Saints




Baseball Crusher
Play of the Day:

Cardinals -155 over Pirates

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Arthur Ralph Sports

703- 526 57 % Run over 3 YEARS

Free one SUN: Indians -165 Sat: Jacksonville + 2 1/2

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Cappers Access

Raiders
Brewers(RL)
Rangers

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Hondo

Irene did nothing to improve Hondo's Saturday night luck as he wiped out in typical weekend fash ion with the Cubs and Padres to boost the deficit to a season-high 2,565 brunets.

Tonight, Mr. Aitch will turn to The Good Weaver for some great pitching in Texas -- 20 units on the Angels.

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John Harrison

N.O./Oak. UNDER